Travel to Belgrade for Some Errands

As an immigrant from Belgrade, Serbia, living in Toronto, Canada, I remain familiar with my home country and the bountiful opportunities present between the two residences. In Canada, we are fortunate to be covered by a socialized healthcare program that allows equal care for citizens of all classes and income levels. Despite this, dental care is an independent factor of healthcare that can be out of control. I, among many fellow Canadians, have sought numerous dental quotes that vary greatly from office to office, leaving patients weary of their actual conditions.

Because I needed a bit of dental work done, I decided to visit Belgrade to do so. I did my research on the services available and had a well-rounded diagnosis of what I needed done. In visiting my home country, I knew I would have the opportunity to get the medical attention I needed from the facilities there, while paying much less for my services, and enjoying a trip with family and friends in a beautiful country.

In Belgrade, the hospitals, mammography equipment, oncology, and immunotherapy are not superior to those I have experienced in other countries around the world, including Canada and America. So along with travelling for my own healthcare needs, I used the opportunity to bring some used mammography equipment to donate. Anyway, dental work in Serbia is world renowned for the incredible range of services and surgeries provided with premium provisions.

I was actually pretty flattered when my dentist told me I needed a crown.

I don’t think you’re thinking of the right definition…

I began my trip by flying from Toronto into the Vienna Airport in Austria. Vienna, being one of my favorite cities, is a place I visited as a child. The cobblestone streets and centuries’ old architecture reminded me of my grandparents, who used to return home to Serbia with post cards and candies for us children.

On my recent trip, I planned activities for my family including visiting the House of Music(Haus der Musik). This interactive museum was a fun afternoon event for the whole family that taught about the music history in Europe, as well as encouraged visitors to hear and experience new sounds. This museum and the Schönbrunn Palace were two of my favorite stops in Vienna, Austria. While in Vienna, we stayed at the Hotel Sacher, which was just a short walk to city center.

We returned to the Vienna Airport after a few days to travel further south to Belgrade, Serbia, where I would undergo my dental treatments and enjoy the remainder of our European activities. Belgrade is an incredible city to visit and learn about Roman times at The Belgrade Fortress. The Fortress has free entry for tourists with a small gift shop located on the premises. In addition to The Fortress, we visited local shops and restaurants with homemade Serbian cuisine, which reminded me of my youth.

We should have a way of telling people their breath stinks without hurting their feelings like, “I’m bored, let’s go brush your teeth”.

While I underwent dental work for a few days, I positioned my family at the beautiful Ada Ciganlija – a lake with family-friendly activities on the water and land, perfect for the summertime. The lake is an idyllic escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, allowing kids and adults alike to enjoy water and land activities including zip lining, swimming, boating, water skiing, picnicking, and more.

There is food available for purchase, as well as pleasant service. The lake is a great place from morning to night for the entire family. We took a room at the Balkan Hotel Garni nearby to allow our children a luxurious European experience while in Belgrade.

After introducing my children for the first time to the country their father was born, it was difficult to leave. I felt a connection with Belgrade that I had forgotten in my time away. My children loved visiting the home where I grew up, even though the residents are now strangers and much in the community has changed.

I had the grateful opportunity to take my family passed where I was schooled as a young boy and where I first learned to ride a bicycle. These memories are solidified for me, and I hope my children experienced the same sentimental value as I did making these memories. Through walking tours, I was refreshed of the deep history of my city and was able to pass down the deeply interesting information to my children.

When we returned home to Toronto, I embraced the new appreciation I had for my home country and took advantage of this passion to continue teaching my children my native language of Serbian. Eventually, they will be trilingual. If it weren’t for the incredible opportunity for healthcare in Serbia, I would not have planned such a fulfilling trip back to my homeland.

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The Site’s Past History

Way way back in 2006, this website was JOURNAL OF CANADIANS AND AMERICANS WHO KNOW SERBIAN, aka, ČASOPIS ZA KANAĐANE I AMERIKANCE KOJI ZNAJU SRPSKI

That’s kind of funny.

It was not exactly a thrilling title.

Some of it’s 2006 articles were :

Right man in the right place: Perko Vukotic, Ambassador of Serbia and Montenegro in Canada, the story of the relations between the two countries, a possible referendum in Montenegro, and the potential of our diaspora